In April 2015 Robert M Gates, the national president of the Boy Scouts of America, addressed his organization at their national business meeting (BSA, 2015). In his speech he raised the thorny issue of gays in the Scouts. The organization had long held in place a ban on atheists, agnostics, and what they call "open or avowed" homosexuals participating as members (BSA, 2012).
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The Hawaiian Islands are widely known for their beauty and rich cultural diversity. Located in the North Pacific Ocean, they encompass some of the most beautiful beaches in the world, some of the highest mountain peaks, volcanoes, waterfalls, rain forests, and protected land and native species. The climate in Hawaii boasts eleven of the thirteen climate zones in the world. The climate zones each have unique ecosystems and characteristics that make up their weather patterns. With all the natural beauty that Hawaii has to offer, the Hawaiian Culture and Spirit remain today the most powerful aspects of what make the Hawaiian Islands so special.
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There is a war being waged in America today – a war spanning the course of American history pitting American against American, and human against human. Disrespect for others has escalated to the point of hatred and become pernicious in its capacity to destroy individuals, families, and social entities. While the judicial system can legislate guidelines governing behavior, it is incapable of controlling human thoughts. According to Judeo-Christian thought, a person’s unfiltered thoughts emanate from the heart and are indicative of personality and behavior. (Proverbs 23:7 NKJV)
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Everyone deserves access to high quality, culturally competent, and affordable behavioral healthcare. But accessing treatment for these issues can be challenging for many people in America. Increasing outreach and education to minority and underserved communities, increasing the diversity of behavioral health providers, and improving cultural competence in healthcare will help to engage those who are not getting the treatment services they need.
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A diverse population of people seeks behavioral health services every year, and it’s essential that they receive services that are effective and culturally sensitive. Developing cultural competence is an ongoing, lifelong process. There is always more to learn. When counselors have cultural awareness and competence, the clients they serve are more likely to engage, reach their goals, and have a positive experience with behavioral health services.
FB- Are you culturally competent? Find out if you understand what it means to be aware of diverse populations and its importance in our lives.
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Gainful employment and stable housing are necessary for almost everyone to be successful members of society. When access to either of these is limited, life becomes very difficult. People with mental health disorders deserve the same access to employment and housing to enable them to be safe and contribute to their communities and feel worthwhile and valuable. Unfortunately, stigma and discrimination still create inequities for people with mental illness, and as a society it benefits us all to work hard to increase acceptance and decrease stereotyping and misperceptions about people with mental illness.
FB- Know someone with a mental illness? Here are just a few of the misperceptions associated with having a mental illness, some of which may surprise you.
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